{
  "id": 12814105,
  "title": "Scrap NYSC now to save young people – Mahdi Shehu tells Nigerian govt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/scrap-nysc-now-to-save-young-people-mahdi-shehu-tells-nigerian-govt",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T06:54:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/08/scrap-nysc-now-to-save-young-people-mahdi-shehu-tells-nigerian-govt/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Activist Mahdi Shehu has urged the Nigerian government to abolish the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, citing the surge in kidnappings that make the mandatory deployment of young graduates perilous. Speaking on television, Shehu expressed concern over the abduction of corps members during their orientation in Akwa Ibom and Abuja, deeming it \"one incident too many.\" He highlighted the prevalence of unreported cases of kidnapping, maiming, and detention across various regions, particularly in the North, Middle Belt, Northwest, Northeast, and North Central.\n\nShehu argued that the NYSC, intended to foster national unity, has become irrelevant if it exposes corps members to kidnapping, violence, and other security threats while they serve outside their home states. He proposed a restructured service where corps members could serve within their respective states, acknowledging the financial and safety challenges associated with interstate deployment. Shehu also questioned the dedication of certain political figures, alleging some falsify NYSC certificates despite their lack of belief in the program. \"The NYSC programme has outlived its usefulness,\" he stated, advocating for its scrapping.\n\nRegarding the broader security crisis, Shehu linked the rising kidnappings involving corps members and commercial travelers to a failure in governance and societal responsibility. He argued that criminal groups are increasingly targeting vulnerable individuals as \"soft targets,\" with ransom payments sustaining their operations. Shehu emphasized the need for a comprehensive examination of the factors enabling kidnapping, rather than solely addressing individual incidents, to break the cycle of fear in the community.",
  "summary": "Activist Mahdi Shehu has called for the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), arguing that the rising wave of kidnappings across Nigeria has made the compulsory deployment of young graduates increasingly dangerous. Speaking on Channels Television, Shehu described the abduction of prospective corps members travelling to orientation camps in Akwa Ibom and Abuja […] Scrap NYSC now to…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}